Roof damage on new RV

[marc515]

We have a 3 week old 2014 Navion, and I just discovered a crack on the edge/crown of the roof on above the awning.

The second picture shows what looks like previous work was done to that area, and I can even notice a difference in the white paint color.

The damage was there when we purchased it, and I don't know how I missed it, and I'm very annoyed that we were sold a new RV with undisclosed damage.

The main concern is hidden damage to roof and wall, as we have no idea how long the crack has been there.

It's going back to the dealer Monday, and am wondering if any of you guys have had any experience in this area, and how I go about getting proper resolution.

Thank you,.....marc

[klutchdust]

Time for them to receive a letter from an attorney. Money well spent.

[marc515]

Update:

The repair was done on Aug 29th, however, not to our satisfaction. The area did not have the deep high gloss finish that it should have, and we could see sandpaper marks in the paint, and some overspray, so they have to do over.

I've been following up every other day, but yesterday I reached my limit when I saw it was still sitting behind the body shop with nothing done on it. To top it, another damaged RV which came in after ours was in the shop being worked on. I told the general manager and service director very nicely that I wanted the work done, and this was no way to treat a customer.

Very frustrating to say the least, and all this is going in my letter to the Winnebago CEO.

[ron_dittmer]

marc515 wrote:
we are very disappointed to find out the initial damage and repair was accomplished at the factory, and that information was withheld from us; in our opinion, it's simply poor customer relations.

Wow, Winnebago released the vehicle with a repaired roof instead of a replaced one?

I wonder what is going on over there at Winnebago Industries. I expected better from them. I would insist on a new roof (not a repaired one) and compensation or maybe optional equipment like say levelers or something. Or insist on a different rig.

Maybe they could add a second skin with a membrane in between over the original one??? Two roofs are better than one, 🙂

[paullac]

With that said...
The only acceptable option to me would be a full roof replacement.
First off, the repair (done at the factory, no less, where you might expect better work!) didn't last.
I would expect all new fiberglass on the top.
Note that the fiberglass needs to be removed in order to check the wood underneath for any signs of water damage.
I would find it hard to believe that with a crack that wide that some water didn't work down toward the wood underneath after a couple rainstorms.
Even one water outline on the wood underneath would result in me telling them to start replacing the wood too.
And then keep working down & replacing as needed until no more traces of water can be found.

By the way, shame on Winnebago for doing the krazy glue & white toothpaste repair!

[j-d]

Years ago, I worked for a car dealer. We went on a factory tour. At the end of the assembly line, somebody got in every car and drove it away. But some of the cars went over to a holding pen. I remember one looked like an engine had been dropped on the roof. While I was there, the driver put one in gear and all that happened was a pool of transmission fluid on the floor. Workers pushed into the pen. They didn't scrap those cars. They were fixed and went somewhere. IF that happened at Winnebago, they would have fixed it. Should have fixed it better. New roof would have been better.

[Cousin_Eddie93]

marc515 wrote:
We've talked to the dealer and Winnebago and have been assured the repairs will be perfect and to our satisfaction.

That said, we are very disappointed to find out the initial damage and repair was accomplished at the factory, and that information was withheld from us; in our opinion, it's simply poor customer relations.

In that case I'd be raising hell demanding a replacement from Winnie. At the minimum, they need to give you a loaner unit of like package.

[Gjac]

That is not just a crack in the gel coat that was caused by some sort of structural damage, tree limb falling etc. The right way to repair is with tapered overlapping FG plies or a complete new roof. How thick is that roof? From the photos it looks less than .050 in.

[marc515]

We've talked to the dealer and Winnebago and have been assured the repairs will be perfect and to our satisfaction.

That said, we are very disappointed to find out the initial damage and repair was accomplished at the factory, and that information was withheld from us; in our opinion, it's simply poor customer relations.

[paullac]

super_camper wrote:

marc515 wrote:

wbwood wrote:
I wouldn't be wasting my time posting about it on here right now. It would of been back to the dealer ASAP.

I don't know how you or the dealer could of missed that with your PDI.

It is back to the dealer.

I don't consider posting here a waste of time, especially if I get some useful insight

As I noted, I don't know how I missed it either.

How are you certain that the damage was there when you took delivery? Neither you or the dealer noticed it or at least disclosed it. At this point in time you are likely going to have to pursue this as a warranty claim rather than a delivery issue.

If it were me, I would MUCH rather this be resolved via warranty rather than a delivery issue. Reason: I would trust Winnebago to fix it the right way rather than the dealer doing some krazy glue & white toothpaste patch job!

[Cousin_Eddie93]

wbwood wrote:
I wouldn't be wasting my time posting about it on here right now. It would of been back to the dealer ASAP.

I don't know how you or the dealer could of missed that with your PDI.

NJ Lemon Law is actually quite good and may be of use hear especially if the RV is in the shop for a minimum of 20 days (non consecutive) during first 24 months after purchase. Def google NJ lemon law. The don't ask don't tell return policy only pertains to the first three business days after purchase. I did this once on a crappy lease deal and left the deal free and clear.

[super_camper]

marc515 wrote:

wbwood wrote:
I wouldn't be wasting my time posting about it on here right now. It would of been back to the dealer ASAP.

I don't know how you or the dealer could of missed that with your PDI.

It is back to the dealer.

I don't consider posting here a waste of time, especially if I get some useful insight

As I noted, I don't know how I missed it either.

How are you certain that the damage was there when you took delivery? Neither you or the dealer noticed it or at least disclosed it. At this point in time you are likely going to have to pursue this as a warranty claim rather than a delivery issue.

[wbwood]

My ex wife and I purchased her a vehicle before we divorced. Before divorcing (within about 6 months of owning the vehicle), she started having problems with it. I know I took it in a couple times myself. She eventually got them on the lemon law. She ended up getting a similar vehicle, but did have to pay the difference because it had more stuff on it. They credited her for the price of the previous vehicle. We lived in Georgia, but the vehicle was bought across the river in South Carolina. So not sure which state it fell under. But it's better than nothing.

And this situation is far off from a lemon law issue. Could turn into eventually. Bu one issue is not gonna even come close to it unless it can never be repaired.

[klutchdust]

bukhrn wrote:
I don't know about NJ, but some states have something equivalent to the Lemon Law, you may have 30 days from purchase to return it & nullify the deal.

My experience with the California lemon law was a complete and utter joke and disappointment. Read what the law says, it is very difficult

for a manufacturer to just take your vehicle back and give you a new one. Recently my friend had overheating and transmission problems

with his crew cab dually GMC with the duramax engine. All together the vehicle was in the shop over 6 weeks, at different times, had the

transmission, rebuilt then replaced, countless other items and after all that they gave him less than what he paid towards another truck.

The lemon law is just a feel good ,we did something for you law. I have yet to hear of anyone having success with it.

My 06 wells cargo trailer had the roof put on wrong. I was required to take it back to Ogden Utah at my expense for repair. I worked out a

deal to instead take it to Phoenix Az. Well they spliced the roof!!!!!!. They told me that's all they are willing to do.

Good luck, I hope it works out.

[klutchdust]

Have you notified your insurance company? They need to know about this.